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Vol. 8, No. 24 – September 2 – September 15, 2015 – Mailbox

Dear Sheldon,

Thanks for staying with the philosophical discussion that readers are interested in thinking about…that’s the start.  But I would like to suggest that the world’s biggest problem (the elephant in the room) is “overpopulation”… too many people on the planet.   Or is our earth too small for the needs or wants of the human species?

Suzanna Ballmer

 

Response to Letter by Vaughn

I appreciate Robert Vaughn’s response to my letter citing statistics for atheists in prison and asking who is more moral an atheist who does good because he perceives it right or someone who believes in God and does right to avoid going to hell.  The statistics cited are misleading since are based on tabulations of categories such as “atheist” by itself but exclude categories such as “refuses to state”, “other”, etc. A more meaningful comparison would be based on defining those whose actions are directly influenced by their beliefs.   I certainly believe an atheist can be as good a person as a believer in God. The point that I was making was that a person who believes in God has independent documentation outside himself which defines what is right and wrong. An atheist does not have an external guide to right and wrong. When Mr. Vaughn cites he is doing “good”, I would ask where does he go to define what is good besides the penal code. My original letter was written in rebuttal to the suggestion that Supreme Court Justices be atheists because the atheist lacks an external source of guidance of right and wrong(morality)  independent of himself.

John Ferritto

Breeze

Hopefully, my letter to the editor (in previous Breeze)ref “beach open spaces” will stir some interest….that and my weekly email harassment of the City and VPD related to the state of affairs on the beachfront (especially the promenade).  My photos paint a pretty ugly picture of what tourists see when they come of our fair city.  Actually the Harbor, Keys and Pierpont are greatly improved but the promenade not only has vagrants but some pretty sketchy lowlife gangsters.  I am still waiting for the City and Kevin Clerici to get serious about the promenade.  I have talked to the Manager and Events Coordinator at the Crown Plaza, they have nothing good to say about the City’s handling of the promenade.  They and their customers probably suffer the most from this lack of attention.

George Robertson-Pierpont

Hello,

I am a frequent letter writer to newspapers, but have had only 6 published in the Ventura Star.  It seems as if they won’t print anything criticizing the City or Government.

On or about July 2010, the Ventura County Medical Center was nominated as the Trauma Center for the West County.  St. John’s Hospital was the other applicant.  Notwithstanding the need for a Trauma Center, I can see no references regarding the environmental impact of ambulance noise. I have not been able to obtain the Minutes of any City or County Meetings about this decision. I also saw no calls for Public Comment.

The noise generated by the sirens is unbearable to many residents who live on telegraph Road, and nearby for 2 to 3 blocks from these streets. I am routinely woken up after 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. by the noise. I have counted houses close to these streets, and I estimate that over 100 homes are affected. This means at least 300 citizens. The route via Seaward Avenue is much shorter and exposes fewer homes to the noise. Furthermore the value of my home is impacted.

I have not seen or heard of any discussions relating to this. The choice of St. John’s Hospital would have been by far the best choice.

It would be extremely difficult to serve a class action suit against the County, with enormous legal fees. However, I will attempt to deliver a complaint to the County, hopefully signed by over 100 citizens. The County has a history of ignoring home owners. For example building a 6 story building on the campus.

Sincerely,
Jeff Smith

Jeff: Now you have had one published in the Ventura Breeze. Five more to go.

Sir

A ship of fools America is not, but when money is allowed to tether a skipper’s hands from talking with an independent wisdom the gales of corruption and not the set of sails will take the vessel to more Iraq’s. There may be time yet to put our ship of state in order and on the course of its designed purpose. When our Congress hasn’t the character and integrity to purge the crippling political money buying evil, however, be prepared to kiss America’s experiment in democracy goodbye.

Sincerely,
John A. Whelan

Vol. 8, No. 24 – September 2 – September 15, 2015 – Forever Homes Wanted

scamp to adopt CARLHi: I’m Oreo a 7 1/2 year old Chihuahua mix looking for a new home because my family just had too many dogs. They received a notice that most of us had to go, and so I came to C.A.R.L. with a bunch of my puppies. I enjoy going for walks. I get along with many other dogs, but I can be choosy sometimes. So let’s have a meet and greet first! I’m cautious and shy with new people. I need to go to a home with no small children because I’ll defend myself if I feel like I’m being messed with too much, but if you take the time to let me get to know you, I turn into a little teddy bear! I’ll jump in your lap, I’ll beg to be picked up, and I’m just an all-around love bug!

scamp to adopt VCASLittle Lina would like everyone to know that you can visit adoptable bunnies at one of our local pet stores. The employees at Petco Moorpark have been trained to provide daily care to spayed and neutered shelter rabbits who live at the store and are available for adoption. As always, the nominal adoption fee even includes a free vet visit. Of course, Ventura County Animals Services has plenty of rabbits you can meet at our Camarillo Campus, including Miss Lina! To visit Lina and learn more about our outreach efforts,  visit VCAS at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo and ask for ID number A610411. For details about offsite rabbit adoptions, bunny nail trims, and compatibility dates, please visit www.facebook.com/VCASBunnyBrigade.

A Tender Touch Senior Placement – Importance of oral health in the aging population

By Connie De La Rosa

Taking care of ourselves in all aspects, especially as we age, whether it is in exercise, being active in the community to maintain social interaction, or regular doctor visits, is more vital. Today, there are many educational classes and outreach programs that assist in making better choices for a much more healthy lifestyle. It’ emphasizes the importance of keeping your oral health in a good place. While nowadays there are cosmetic dentistry options like porcelain crowns (look at https://garycashdds.com/cosmetic-dentistry/porcelain-crowns/ for more info on this) if your oral health decreases and causes staining or other issues but this doesn’t mean we should rely on it to keep our smile.

“As the percentage of older adults continues to increase, we can observe that they are also keeping their teeth much longer than previous decades” states Dental Hygienist Nena S. Casillas. Keeping teeth longer also means an increase in periodontal disease, worn and deteriorated dental restorations, and cavities. This would mean an increase in the chance you will need to visit an emergency dentist for treatment for such problems. CareDash explains how to find an emergency dentist in this article, should you need one. Maintaining a regular oral care routine with a dentist or dental hygienist can help prevent some of the expected oral health problems. It also means that you’ll only need to make 2 visits a year to Dentist Worcester as opposed to 4 if your oral health is in a bad state.

Medical studies and research have shown that bacteria in the mouth have been linked to heart and lung diseases, diabetes, pneumonia, and other health problems. An RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice/Mobile Dental Hygienist-accepts Medi-Cal and most insurances) can help start a dental hygiene program for a Skilled Nursing Facility, Intermediate Care Facility, and private homes. RDHAP services can help prevent health problems that are caused by dental plaque and calculus. Therefore, the overall health of a person may be enhanced with improved oral health. Again, the importance of regular checkups with your Dentist Avon Lake cannot be overstressed.

For more information , please call 200-7756.

Lost Cat

scamp lost catHi: I’m a lost male Persian Short Hair (Exotic) : 7 years old : height 11-12″ : 17-18 lbs. : Red and white striped collar with red bell and yellow home again tag (microchipped) : Last seen on Bluebonnet Ave, near Saticoy and Telephone : Color Black with Golden Eyes : My name is Rambo, I have a fat tail, chubby body, flat face, dense fur, look like a teddy bear, and am friendly

My friend Holly Nuckols sure misses me and I miss her so hopefully you will find me and call her.

Phone 340-0601, E-mail [email protected]

When you’ve lost or found a cat in Ventura County go to LostCatVentura.com

Ventura Film Society Season 7

Please join the Ventura Film Society on Thursday September 10 @ 7:15pm at the Century 10 Downtown Ventura for “The Salt Of The Earth”. German director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, Pina, Paris Texas, Wings of Desire) confirms his mastery of the documentary form in this stunning visual ode to the great Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. Long recognized as one of the camera’s great artists, Sebastiao’s sculptural use of light and space is combined with a deep empathy for the human condition, resulting in richly complex black-and-white images that capture the dignity within every subject. For the last 40 years, Sebastiao has been travelling across continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. Sebastião Salgado’s life and work are revealed to us by Wenders and by the photographer’s son, co-director Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. The VFS is proud to present “The Salt Of The Earth”, the 8th of 12 films in our 2015 season. Advance tickets strongly suggested, available at www.venturafilmsociety.com/tickets.html and at the VFS Will Call table one hour before the screening.

Visit www.venturafilmsociety.com for more screening information, to see the film’s trailer, and for VFS 2015 Membership information. VFS Info Line 628-2299. Special thanks to all of our donors, volunteers, patrons, and supporters, especially the Ventura Breeze. The Ventura Film Society – We bring people together in the dark.

 

Classic car show and party

senior cypressGeorge and Judy Sandoval strut their stuff during a previous classic car show and party at Cypress Place

Enjoy a blast from the past at the Cypress Place Senior Living Classic Car Show & 70’s party on Wednesday September 16th from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.  There will be plenty of good old-fashioned fun, so put on your bell bottom pants and platform shoes and come join the fun and festivities.

“Our car show is an annual event for us,” said Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place Senior Living.  “But for this year’s event, we’re changing it up a bit with a 1970’s theme, and also kicking off a fundraiser to collect suitcases for children in the Ventura County Foster Care Program.”

From September 16th through October 16th, 2015, the senior community will be accepting donations of a new or used suitcase to be given to one of the many foster children in Ventura County.  Once the suitcases have been collected, Cypress Place will invite the foster children to the senior community to present them with their very own suitcase according to Spira.

Emcee Bruce Barrios, named the #1 DJ in Ventura County, will spin the tunes for this fun-filled event, featuring classic cars, music, food, dancing, and prizes for best car, best dancers and best outfit.  A new or used suitcase, or a $10 donation per person, is requested for admission.

“Our seniors are so excited for this event, because not only will there wonderful food and entertainment, but they know it will help make a difference in the lives of local children right here in our community,” said Yvonne Knepper, one of the marketing directors at Cypress Place.

The event is open to the public.  Free shuttle parking will also be available at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St, at the corner of Cypress Point Lane and Ralston Street.

If you are looking for a blast from the past, put on your best 70’s outfit, grab a suitcase, and come strut your stuff under the glow of a disco ball, all while supporting the children in the Ventura County Foster Care program.

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere senior community in Ventura County.   The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard.

This safe, loving environment offers residents a continuum of care through life’s transitions.  Amenities include three meals daily, weekly housekeeping, transportation, activities, utilities, as well as personal caregivers and laundry service in the Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.

Cypress Place Senior Living is located at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane.  For more information or to RSVP, please call 650-8000 or visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

Vol. 8, No. 24 – September 2 – September 15, 2015 – Professor Scamp

scamp fosterEnjoying themselves at the FelixNFido adoption event were “Paws For Reading” dogs Suzie, Jane Middleton, Library Technician II (not a dog), Doug, Herbie,  Murphy  and Ricky

 

scamp pugsBruno and Molly of Central Coast Pug Rescue are going home with Bob and Christina Thompson of Thousand Oaks after being adopted at FelixNFido event.

 

scamp kiarraKiarra was adopted  from CABODOGZ by  Nathan Celusta, of Newbury Park, and  his son Jasper at FelixNFido event.

 

scamp Radar:

Dear Dr. Scamp:

Through the mysteries of the ether, I have been informed of your views on the virtues of pet adoption, and I write to tell you how right you are.

I was one of a litter of expectant Labradors born about 11 years ago.  Through no faults of my own, I spent several years in grubby shelters, until I was rescued by an elderly gentleman who was attracted to my good looks and because he was familiar with labs, recognizing my potentialities.

We spent 7 years together before my age overtook me.  I’ll tell you about the best years of my life.

Like most labs I was trained to hunt birds, particularly quail and ducks, the former because I had such a good nose and the latter because I love the water.  In Mexico, I could locate a covey of quail by smelling them, when my boss could neither see them of hear them.  In the San Joaquin Valley I would wait patiently beside my boss in the blind, and, when the gun went off, I would follow the flight of the dead bird into the cold water and bring it back, gently putting it in my boss’ hand.

Although bird hunting was my first love, I loved being at home where it was warm and comfortable.  I was my boss’ No. 1 pal.  We would go for long walks, and I would see other dogs, not labs, and I would say to myself, “Humph! You don’t know the good life!”  I would see doves and quail and an occasional duck and bark, “It’s not the season.  Just wait!”

Well, toward the end I broke the ACL in my knee, and I could not walk very well or far.  My energy flagged, and I found it hard to get up in the morning.  I still tried to please my boss, and I wagged my tail every time he looked at me.  But I just gave up and died in the hands of my friendly vet.

To let you know what a good hunting dog looks like I also sent you my picture.

Sincerely, Radar Spaulding

Ojai

 

I want to give a big woof woof to all of the wonderful vendors and attendees at the at the Third Annual Felix n’ Fido Bring Me Home Adoption Festival, held at the Ventura Harbor Village main lawn. The entire event was about adoption and rescue of our homeless pets. A special thanks to Lightning Ridge Screen Printing for donating the printed shirts.

It was presented by CABODOGZ, me and the Ventura Breeze and  was a wonderful event that included music, pet artists and many dog adoption agencies, vendors selling pet items and of course the emceed Red Carpet Walk for all adoptees. I have included pictures of a few of the dogs that were adopted.

 

Wednesday, Aug. 26 was National Dog Appreciation Day.

And Californian’s certainly do appreciate us dogs. California has been ranked the #1 most “Dog Happy” U.S. state, according to the Milo’s Kitchen ‘Dog Happy’ Survey.

To create this national doggy appreciation ranking, Milo’s Kitchen brand dog treats surveyed 3,000 dog parents to determine how regularly they engage in thankful, grateful, and loving behaviors with their dogs.

The top 25 most ‘dog happy’ U.S. states

  1. California
  2. New York
  3. Washington
  4. Tennessee
  5. Florida

86% of dog parents say their dog “comforts them immeasurably”
71% say their dog “reminds them to seek out more joy in life”
64% say their dog “makes them look forward to going home more than anything else”
63% say their dogs “make them much more patient and responsible”

And 100% of dogs say their lives are richer when they live in a loving home (My own survey results)

 

There are stories all around us

stuff CAPSCAPS is working with teacher Suz Montgomery and her class of seniors.

By Elizabeth Rodeno

It’s back to school, whether it be Ventura College, Foothill High School or El Camino High, our neighbors here on Day Road. We invite those students, in fact all Ventura’s students, to come by, sign up to volunteer and learn to make movies.  These skills will help you to create powerful and impactful reports and projects. After all, we live in the world of media, why not integrate it into your class work?  It’s an opportunity for anyone, young or old to share their story.

Our staff spent last Saturday at the Camarillo Airshow. It brought home how valuable these planes are to our history. Even more important were those servicemen and women who contributed to these historical events. Their history and their stories will be gone before we know it and we can’t let that go. That is where the students, and all of us, come into the picture. Why not help tell their stories? Share it with Ventura and beyond and chronical it for their families. There are so many great stories to be told; budding artists, musicians, technicians and those committed to community service. We provide the tools and you provide with subjects and together we honor them.

We have begun working with teacher Suz Montgomery and her class of seniors, generously funded through a grant, to share their stories and train students to record and curate there legacy.  It’s the team work and shared commitment that educators and employers look for.

There are stories all around us. This is why CAPS Media is so important to the community. Our staff only wishes we could cover every event and record every story. Our mission is to teach you to do it, to teach you to film. It’s rewarding for you and rewarding for us.

CAPS Media is the non-profit membership organization that is here to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25 and includes training, equipment, use of our studio and edit suites. Share our history with over 20,000 Ventura residents on channel 6 and 15. Share it with your teachers, your friends and share it for history. Go to our website, www.CAPSTV.org or stop by CAPS Media Center on 65 Day Road and schedule a tour.

Ventura County Fair closes with attendance increase

stuff fairThe Unforgettables Big Band had the standing room only crowd dancing the afternoon away.

The Ventura County Fair’s Board of Directors, management, and staff are proud to report a successful 2015 Fair. Celebrating the best of the best from throughout Ventura County, the 140th edition closed with strong numbers in all categories. Visitors came from near and far to enjoy “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” during the 12-day run, August 5 through August 16.

More than 2000 volunteers and a workforce of hundreds opened the gates with tremendous teamwork in the days leading up to the Fair.

The Ventura County Fair’s mission is to preserve, promote, and showcase agriculture and the traditions of Ventura County, this was accomplished with competitive livestock and horse shows, agricultural exhibits and baking contests, Adding to the attraction were exciting carnival rides, tasty food concessions, and diverse entertainment. There was something for everyone, capturing the hearts of visitors and making lasting memories that will last forever. Fairgoers were greeted with an abundance of new attractions, which included the Fair’s first-ever chicken obstacle course, fresh new talents on the Station Stage, the latest in summer fad fair foods, baby Emus on display in the small livestock area and the first-ever stick pony barrel racing contest.

“We strive to bring a top quality fair to the community,” said CEO Barbara Quaid. “For us the focus is not so much about the numbers of people coming through the gates, but about the quality of the experience our guests have at the Fair. “

The overall success would not be possible without the tremendous support of the sponsors and the community. While the gates have closed on the 2015 Ventura County Fair, planning is already underway for the 2016 Fair.

Final numbers are:

Total Attendance                 2015   318,113                      2014  303,847                  increae    4.70%

The Ventura County Fairgrounds consists of a 62.5-acre parcel and operates as a multi-purpose, multi-functional, year-round facility accommodating a variety of events.  Regarded as a premier rental facility, the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center attracts some of the most popular shows and attractions in the county throughout the year, including livestock shows, dog shows, horse shows, home and recreation shows, concerts, dances, business expos, weddings and receptions, motorcycle and automobile shows, camping groups, and much more.

The Ventura County Fair entertained thousands of guests and employs up to 700 seasonal staff during the annual 12-day event. The Fair brings economic, social, educational, and cultural resources and provides lasting impressions on Fairgoers. While agriculture is the heart of the Fair, it’s the diverse entertainment that typically draws Fairgoers through the gates. Known for free top name concerts, we take pride in the overall dynamics and diversity of the entertainment, the esthetics and cleanliness of the grounds, as well as the vast educational and innovative exhibits that are showcased throughout the Fair each year.

The Board of Directors, management, and staff are very proud of our facility and the resources generated and contributed to the economic impact to Ventura County.